Electric Deterrent Device

ABSTRACT

Electric pest deterrents device having knitted conductors are presented. An elongated conductor comprising at least a single conducting strand knitted with itself or with other conducting strands can be attached to a base of the device. The conducting strands can be knitted according to one or more patterns to form textured surfaces having raise protrusions.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.,filed Dec. 12, 2013, which is a divisional of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/867,781, filed Apr. 22, 2013, now issued U.S. Pat. No.8,733,014, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/492,483, filed Jun. 8, 2012, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,238,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/689,406,filed Jan. 19, 2010, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,196,340, which claimsthe benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/145,715,filed on Jan. 19, 2009. This and all other extrinsic materials discussedherein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where adefinition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistentor contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, thedefinition of that term provided herein applies and the definition ofthat term in the reference does not apply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is deterrent device technologies.

BACKGROUND

Previous efforts directed toward producing electric deterrent devicesfocus on disposing parallel conductors on an elongated non-conductingmaterial. The conductors can be coupled to an electrical power supply tocharge the conductors. When an undesirable pest comes into contact withthe conductors, the pest forms a short circuit between the conductorsand thereby receives an electrical shock. An ideal deterrent devicewould include one or more conductors that have high flexibility and havea textured surface area to provide multiple points of contact against apest.

One example of a deterrent device includes the insect guard described inU.S. Pat. No. 4,839,984 to Saunders et al. titled “Insect Guard Systemand Method of Use”. Saunders discloses an insect guard comprising twoconducting strips that can be deposited or sewn on an elongatedinsulating material where each conducting strip is a single sheet.However, the conducting strips could break under repeated flexing orcorrode easily reducing their efficiency.

Another example of a deterrent device includes those described ininternational application WO 95/08915 to Greenwood titled “DeterrentArrangement”. Greenwood contemplates that conductors can include wiresor a plurality of entwined strands that can be molded into or glued tothe device's base material. The use of entwined strands has greaterflexibility than conducting strips. However, when strands are moldedinto or glued to the base material, a substantial portion of theirflexibility is lost.

Yet another example of a deterrent device includes the electricaldeterrent device disclosed in U.S. patent application publication2005/0132635 to Riddell titled “Electric Deterrent Device”. Riddelldiscloses that conductors can include braided elements of three or moreinterwoven strands similar to the entwined strands of Greenwood. Riddellfurther contemplates that the conducting braided elements can be sewn tothe deterrent device's base material as suggested by Saunders. TheRiddell deterrent device is thought to have high flexibility. However,the contemplated braided conductors are flat and lack a sufficienttexture to provide many points of contact against a pest.

Interestingly, known solutions merely form conductors out of a flatconducting sheet or multiple strands woven or braided. It has yet to beappreciated that the conductors of a deterrent device can comprisesingle strands knitted with themselves or with each other to form atextured surface. For example, a conductor can comprise a single wirestrand that is knitted in a long strip. Such a knitted strip providesdesirable flexibility by being able to flex in multiple dimensions andprovides a textured surface due to interlocking loops of the knittingstitches. Textured surfaces are considered advantageous because suchsurface provide many protruding potential electrical contact points or abetter surface by which a pest would likely grip the deterrent device.

Therefore, there remains a considerable need for methods, systems, andconfigurations to provide electrical deterrent devices having flexibleand/or textured conductors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods inwhich an electrical deterrent device can include an elongated basehaving one or more conductors coupled to the base, possibly via sewing.Preferably the conductor comprises at least one conducting strandknitted with at least itself, or with additional conducting strands, toform an elongated conducting band. The conducting band can be knitted asa flat sheet, a tube, or even multiple tubes nested within each other.In some embodiments, the knitted conducting band can be knittedaccording to a desired pattern in a manner where the conducting band hasa varied texture. It is also contemplated that the conducting band caninclude a non-braided or non-warp and weft mesh, woven strand.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a possible a deterrent device.

FIG. 2 is an example embodiment of a deterrent device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example a basic knit pattern.

FIG. 4 illustrates possible knitting textured patterns for a conductor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, a deterrent device 100 comprises elongated base 130, to whichis attached at least one of flexible conductor 120. Preferably, device100 includes at least two parallel conductors 120 disposed on eitherside of an insulator ridge. Conductors 140 couple to electrical powersource 150 via electrical connectors 140. The spacing between conductors120 can be adjusted as desired based on a target pest to be deterred(e.g., insects, birds, rodent, arachnids, reptiles, etc.). For example,conductors 120 might be spaced apart by about one centimeter for mediumsized birds. For smaller pests, insects for example, the spacing mightbe on the order of millimeters.

Base 130 can be formed from any suitable insulating material that ispreferably flexible. For example, base 130 can comprise extruded PVC.Flexibility of base 130 allows device 100 to be installed around sharpcorners or otherwise conform to the geometry or topology of aninstallation surface (e.g., boats, house trim, etc.).

Conductors 120, preferably elongated conducting bands comprising knittedstrands, can be attached to base 130 using various suitable techniques.In a preferred embodiment, conductors 120 can be sewn to base 130, whichretains flexibility of over all devices 100. Other techniques forattaching conductors 120 to base 130 can also include mechanicalfasteners (e.g., staples, bolts, clamps, friction fit within grooves,rivets, etc.), chemical fasteners (e.g., glues, adhesives, etc.), orthermal fasteners (e.g., melting, molding base 130 around portions ofconductors 120, spot welds or moldings, etc.).

A product that embodies at least some of the disclosed inventive subjectmatter can be obtained from Bird-B-Gone™, Inc. of Mission Viejo, Calif.Bird-B-Gone's product Bird Jolt FlatTrack™ was released in February2009, and includes knitted conductors attached to flexible, elongatedbase.

FIG. 2 provides a cross section view of a preferred deterrent device 200as embodied by the Bird Jolt FlatTrack. Device 200 can be sized anddimensioned to deter birds, sea gulls for example, and can have a widthof approximately 1.5 inches and height of approximately 0.25 inches. Inthe example shown, device 200 can include one or more of glue trough270, which can be used to chemically adhere device 200 to aninstallation surface (e.g., wood, stone, brick, concrete, fiberglass,etc.). Troughs 270 can be preferably filled with a non-silicone outdoorconstruction adhesive to adhere based 230 to the installation surface.

Device 200 can also include two parallel conductors 220 preferablycomprising knitted conducting strands forming elongated bands or strips.One acceptable example for conductors 220 includes corrosion resistantcopper, ETP 0.005 inch diameter, tin-plated knitted wire mesh stocking(e.g., tube). For use as a bird deterrent, acceptable dimensions ofconnectors 220 can include a width of about 0.25 inches and thickness ofabout 0.032 inches. Conductors 220 are preferably sewn to base 230.

Device 200 includes many additional market relevant features. Forexample, insulator 260 represents a raise portion of base 230 that canaid in preventing arcing from one conductor to another. In a similarvein, device 200 can include anti-arc lip 210 to prevent arcing to aninstallation surface. Device 200 can also include one or more of hole280, which provide for greater flexibility when installing around sharpcorners. The configuration of device 200 allows for bending device 200 afull 360° on a vertical plane. Note that hole 280 can be extruded aspart of base 230 and is placed at the thickest portion of base 230. Sucha placement reduces resistance to flexing, reduces resistance tocutting, and saves on material cost in manufacture.

As mentioned previously, conductors used on a deterrent devicepreferably comprise one or more conducting strands knitted together toform an elongated conducting band. FIG. 3 illustrates a basic knittingpattern where strands are knitted to have inter-locking loops as shown.For example, the upper loops of strand A loop around the lower loops ofstrand B. It should be noted that the example shows a single loopinter-locking with a single set of adjacent loops. It is alsocontemplated that the loops could inter-lock with more than one layer ofloops to form a tighter or stronger knit if desired. The pattern can beused to form a conductor based on a single strand or multiple strands.One should appreciate that example pattern can comprise a single strandknitted with itself to form a sheet or a tube, often referred to as astocking In a circular knit used to form a tube end B′ could becontinuous with end A″. In a sheet knit used to form a sheet, end B′could be continuous with end A′. In a multiple strand version, strand Acould be a distinct strand from conducting strand B while still beingknitted with each other. When knitting multiple strands to form aconducting tube or stocking, the strands can form multiple, intertwinedor interlocking helices. Such an approach is advantage to increase theproduction rate of the conductors or to increase the variation ofpossibly textured patterns. A single strand can comprise an individualfilament or multiple filaments, possibly twined together.

Knitted conductors can take on various configurations. In someembodiments, a conductor includes multiple layers of knitted conductingbands that are placed one on top of another. For example, the conductorcan comprise multiple flat knitted sheets, ribbons, or strips that arestacked to form a layered conductor. Another example of a layeredconductor includes multiple knitted tubes that are flattened and stackedto form the layered conductor.

In a preferred embodiment, a layered conductor comprises multipleknitted tubes where one knitted tube is nested within another knittedtube. Two, three, four, or more knitted tubes can be nested. It isthought that a conductor comprising multiple nested knitted wire tubesprovides for greater conductivity, robustness, or flexibility. It isalso contemplated that a layered conductor could comprise combinationsof sheets, tubes, or other configurations based on knitting or evenother types of conductors.

Although FIG. 3 presents a basic pattern, one should also appreciatethat knitting a conducting strand with at least itself can produce amyriad of other patterns. For example, in FIG. 4, five additionalpatterns are presented where each pattern can be achieved via knitting asingle conducting strand with itself or knitting the strand with otherconducting strands and itself. Utilizing different patterns should notbe considered a mere design choice as the textures formed from thedifferent patterns can confer specific capabilities to a conductor orthe device. Tight patterns lacking significant gaps or exposed bumpswould likely be suited for dry environments or for smaller pest. Loosepatterns having gaps between strands would likely be suited for wetenvironments to allow moisture to easily evaporate. Patterns havingraise protrusions can provide additional contacting surfaces for a pestthat would not available in flatten woven or braided traditionaldeterrent conductors.

Many different types of knitting patterns can be employed. Exampleknitting patterns that can yield textured conductors include entrelacknitting, ribbing, cable knitting, garter stitching, seed stitching,faggoting, tricot knitting, or other knitting patterns.

Example suitable knitted conducting tubes, including layered conductingtubes, include wire mesh gaskets from Kemtron Ltd.(http://www.kemtron.co.uk/mesh.html), knitted sleeves from Nokta MetaLtd. (http://www.noktametal.com/stainless_fabric.htm), or knitted meshesfrom Golden Knitted Wire Mesh Factor (http://www.knittedwiremesh.com/).It is contemplated that these or other similar products can be adaptedfor use as conductors within the contemplated inventive electricdeterrent device.

Preferred conductors are manufactured from robust conducting metalscapable of withstanding outdoor extremes. Example suitable conductingmetals include stainless steel (e.g., 316L), or other conductingmaterials that are resistant to corrosion and are suitable for outdooruse. One acceptable conducting material includes Monel®, which hasbetter electrical conductivity than many stainless steels. Currently thea preferred conductor for use in an outdoor bird deterrent deviceincludes corrosion resistant copper, ETP 0.005 inch diameter, tin-platedknitted wire mesh stocking

One should appreciate a knitted conductor is neither a warp and weftmesh nor a braid as used in known art. Other non-warp and weft andnon-braided woven conducting strands can include knotted strands,macramé strands, woolen conducting strands, or crocheted conductingstrands. Such approaches can individually provide desired texturedsurfaces or can be combined to form textured contact surfaces. Forexample, one could use macramé to form woolen conducting strands into anelongated textured conductor having raised protrusions resulting fromthe macramé knots.

Early experiments using knitted conductors for a deterrent device haveyielded potentially unexpected results relative to traditionalconductors. First, a deterrent device using knitted conductors can flexwithout having multiple strands rub laterally against each other asoccurs with multi-stranded woven or braided conductors, which couldcause the strands to fatigue and break. Woven conductors tend to changetheir width as a deterrent device flexes, which can place undue stresson the base of the device or the fasteners holding the conductors to thebase. A knitted conductor appears to allow the interlocking loops toslide into and out each other easily, which reduces wear and alsoprovides for greater flexibility as a device is installed around sharpcorners while the conductor retains its desired width. Second, theconductivity of the knitted conductors appears to be greater than thatof a warp and weft mesh and that of a braided conductor. Having greaterconductivity allows a deterrent device to be longer for a given amountof power supplied by a power source, which reduces costs to a consumer.

Knitted, macramé, or crocheted conductors also can utilize a thickergauge wire than would ordinarily be used in a multi-strand braided orwoven conductor, which is thought to increase the conductivity of theconductor. Additionally, the porous nature of a knitted conductor alsoensures that the conductor can dry quickly when subjected to wetweather, as opposed to flat braids that can trap water. It should beappreciated that other advantages also exist including that each loop inthe conductor acts like a spring which provides for resiliency undercompression or extension, and that the conductor resumes its originalshape if distorted within its yielding point.

Thus, specific compositions and methods of the inventive subject matterhave been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled inthe art that many more modifications besides those already described arepossible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. Theinventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except inthe spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosureall terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible mannerconsistent with the context. In particular the terms “comprises” and“comprising” should be interpreted as referring to the elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps can be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical deterrent device, comprising: anelongated base; a first conductor attached to the elongated base andcomprising a conducting strand knitted with at least itself to form anelongated conducting band; and a power connector coupled to the firstconductor and capable of connecting the first conductor to an electricalpower source.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated conductingband comprises a knitted sheet.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein theelongated conducting band comprises a knitted ribbon.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the elongated conducting band comprises a knitted wiremesh.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first conductor ismechanically attached to the elongated base.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the first conductor is sewn to the elongated base.
 7. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the first conductor is attached to the elongatedbase via a friction-fit.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstconductor is thermally attached to the elongated base.
 9. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising a second conductor attached to the elongatedbase parallel to the first conductor, and also coupled to the powersource.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the elongated base furthercomprises an insulator disposed between the first conductor and thesecond conductor.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the insulatorcomprises a raised portion of the elongated base.
 12. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the elongated base further comprises at least onechannel on a bottom of the elongated base.
 13. The device of claim 1,further comprising an anti-arc lip.
 14. The device of claim 1, whereinthe elongated base further comprises an extruded hole.
 15. An electricaldeterrent device, comprising: an elongated base; first and secondconductors disposed along, and attached to, the elongated base; whereinthe first conductor comprises a first conducting strand knitted with atleast itself to form a first elongated conducting band; and wherein thesecond conductor comprises a second conducting strand knitted with atleast itself to form a second elongated conducting band.
 16. The deviceof claim 15, wherein the first elongated conducting band comprises aknitted sheet.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein the first elongatedconducting band comprises a knitted ribbon.
 18. The device of claim 15,wherein the first elongated conducting band comprises a knitted wiremesh.
 19. The device of claim 15, wherein the first elongated conductingband comprises a knitted tube.
 20. The device of claim 15, wherein thefirst conductor comprises a third conducting strand knitted with itselfand with the first conducting strand.
 21. The device of claim 20,wherein the first and third conducting strands of the first conductorare layered to form the first conductor.
 22. The device of claim 20,wherein the first and second conducting bands comprise nested knittedtubes.
 23. An electrical deterrent device, comprising: an elongatedbase; first and second conductors disposed along, and attached to, theelongated base; and wherein the first and second conductors eachcomprises a primary conducting, non-braided and non-warp and weft mesh,woven strand.